Guardianship Certification

One of the qualifications for certification is passing a comprehensive, Texas-specific examination on guardianship law, principles and practices.  The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions covering Professional Practices; Knowledge of Ward; Application of Surrogate Decision Making; Knowledge of Laws, Courts and Legal Processes; Personal Management; Financial Management; Medical Decision Making; and the JBCC Guardian's Code of Ethics and Minimum Standards.

Please be advised that the Commission does not provide study guides for the exam. Applicants should study the rules located on the Rules and Resources page of our website, which consists of the following:

• Code of Ethics and Minimum Standards
• Chapter 155 Government Code
• Estates Code
• JBCC Rules 

Inquiries Regarding Paperwork

Applications are processed as soon as possible, in the order of which they are received. Due to the volume of applications received, processing times can vary; therefore, we are unable to provide more specific timeframes.

Applicants must confirm receipt of their applications, the status of their applications, and their applications progress by referring to the View Pending Online Applications page of their online profiles. From this page, they can verify the following information 24/7:

1. Confirm receipt of documents uploaded to their application by looking at the number reflect next to the Document(s) link.
   • If it shows (0), the document was not uploaded (i.e., it was not received).
   • If it shows (1), or any number other than 0, the document was uploaded (i.e., it has been received).
2. Check their applications status.
   • By hovering their mouse over the status, they'll also be able to see descriptive text that explains what the status means.
3. Check the progress of their applications status by clicking the View Details link.
   • This will show them which items on their application's checklist have been completed, and which are still pending.

Applicants are also sent automated email confirmations of successful application submission, and when applications are approved.

Inquiries for application status checks or receipt confirmation will not be replied to unless determined by staff that there’s been a delay in processing your application, and you have not received prior notification. We receive many of these inquiries and each email takes time to research and respond to which delays the processing of applications. Thank you for your understanding.

Exam Dates and Deadlines

Exam dates are listed below. Additional dates may be added, per calendar year, once confirmed. Dates and protocols are subject to change. The dates listed below are the first day the exam is given; exams may be offered over one, two, or three days depending on the number registrants, availability, and whose forms and payments are received by the deadline.

Applicants are solely responsible for ensuring they know all information required to take the exam, by ensuring to utilize all resources available to them (i.e., our website, rules, slideshows, any communications submitted to them by staff, etc.).

Important Notes:

1. Exams are only offered online.
   • Examinees will be held accountable to strict testing requirements for exam security purposes.
2. If new exam dates are not posted, please wait to apply until the dates are listed as you will be required to include the exam date on your application.
3. Exam slots are filled on a first come, first served basis. 
   • We are unable to accommodate requests for specific time and/or date slots.
4. Exam slots are only assigned to those who've met all certification requirements prior to registering for the exam. This includes:
   • Submitting your completed application for certification.
   • Completing the Guardianship Training Module and uploading your certificate of completion to your application for certification. 
   • Being fingerprinted for the JBCC's Guardian Certification department and uploading your fingerprint receipt to your application for certification.
5. Registration applications received after all slots are filled will be withdrawn.
   • Your exam fee can be refunded, as fees cannot be transferred to a future exam date.
   • You can register for a future exam date, as applicants are not automatically reassigned to a future exam date.
6. We will post when exams are closed for further registrations by the exam date that has filled up.
7. JBCC staff will assign your exam date and time.  
   • Please read your notice carefully to ensure you login on the correct date and time.

(*)= First day of exams. Your assigned date and time will be sent to you via email only after your application has been processed. 

«Return to Top of Page»